Automatic window shutter



y 1950 A. HAMILTON 2,506,829

AUTOMATIC WINDOW SHUTTER Filed Sept. 5, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 PatentedMay 9, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE AUTOMATIC WINDOW SHUTTER ArthurHamilton, Harrisburg, Ark.

Application September 5, 1947, Serial No. '772,291

The present invention relates to automatic, window shutters and itconsists in the combinations, constructions and arrangements of partsherein described and claimed.

It is an object of the invention to provide a device which may beattached to the conventional window frame which will automaticallyregulate the passage of air into' a room in accordance with thetemperature thereof and the velocity of the wind which may be motivatedby the outside air.

A further object of the invention is the provision of simplethermostatic means for regulating the position of a shutter withrelation to a window.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a novel adjustingspring for counterbalancng the weight of a shutter in a device of thecharacter set forth above.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a novel automaticoperated latch for maintaining the shutter in a closed position dur--ing a storm.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of novel meansfor adjusting the thermostat in a device of the character set forth.

Other and further objects of the invention will become apparent from areading of the following specification taken in conjunction with thedrawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a front elevational View of an embodiment of the inventionin operative position upon a window,

Figure 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along line2-2 of Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a fragmentary elevational View illustrating certain detailsof Construction,

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4-4 of Figure 2, and

Figure 5 is a fragmentary elevational view of an element of theinvention.

Generally, there is provided a shutter which may be pivotally mounted atits upper end upon the outer side of a conventional window frame. Anovel adjustable spring is provided for normally holding the shutter inan open posi-- tion. A thermostat is operatively connected to theshutter and is adapted to close the same upon the reaching of apredetermined low temperature and the shutter is also adapted to beclosed by wind pressure overcoming the pressure of the spring regardlessof the temperature of the air. A latch is provided whereby the shutter,once closed may only be opened from the inner side of the window.

Referring now more particularly to the draw- 1 Claim. (CI. 236-49) ings,ther is shown therein a shutter comprising a frame !O of generallyrectangular Construction and having mounted therein a body of glass l lor other transparent material. The frame !0 is hinged, as indicated at!2, to a supporting frame- !3 which is adapted to be mounted in thelower section of a conventional window frame having an upper sash !4 anda lower sash !5.

In one side of the supporting frame !3 there is vertically mounted athermostat comprising fluid operated bellows !6 having a verticallyextending rod !l at its upper end to the upper end of which, asindicated at !8, is attached one end of a cable !9 which is trained overa pulley 20 carried by the framework !3 and the other end of this cableis attached to the shutter !0, as indicated at 2!.

To the lower end of the bellows is affixed a rack 22 which is enmeshedwith a gear 23 carried by a shaft 24 which is revolubly mounted injournals 25 mounted upon the lower end of the framework !3. The shaft 24extends horizontally toward the center of the framework !3 and isadapted to be revolved by a worm 26 operatively connected therewith andprovided with an actuating handle 21.

A coil spring 28 having its convolutions on substantially the same planeas its inner end aflixed to a shaft 29 revolubly mounted in theframework !3 and provided at its outer end with a pointer 30 and anOperating handle 3!. A dial 32 is carried by the framework !3 inoperative relation to the pointer 30. The outer end of the spring 28 isbent at an angle to form a foot 33 which is slidably engaged in aguideway 34 vertically mounted upon the inner side of the shutter.

Centrally mounted at the lower end of the framework !3 pivoted, asindicated at 36, is a latch having a hook 35 at its outer end which isadapted to be urged upwardly by a spring 3'! and which is provided withan Operating handle 38 at its inner end.

In operation, it will be seen that the spring 28 will normally urge theshutter to an outward position of approximately 45 degrees to the planeof the window. This is accomplished by adjusting the position of thespring and its tension by means of the handle 3!, the dial 32 beingutilized for such adjustment. The thermostat is also adjusted at thesame time as it is adapted to contract upon the lowering of thetemperature of the air and hence exert a pull upon the shutter by meansof the rod I'! and cable !9, which pull is contra to the outwardexertion of the spring 28. Once adjusted, the sash !5 will of course belifted in an opened position to allow air to enter therethrough. When,however, the temperature of the air becomes lowered the thermostat willact to close the shutter to a greater and greater degree until uponreaching a certain predetermined lower temperature the bottom of theShutter will engage the hool 35 and automatically latch therewith. Thelatch may only be disengaged by manually Operating the handle 38 toagain allow the shutter to moveoutwardly. It will also be seen that anyundue draft of air passing through the window will cause a pressure uponthe outer side of the Shutter thereby exerting a force against theaction of the spring 28 and thereby cutting off such undue flow of airthrough the window. It will be seen that this action is independent ofthe action of the thermostat. The thermostat is controllable in itsaction by simply turning the handle 21 which, through the rod 24, gear23 and rack 22, will act to efiectvely lengthen or Shorten the bellows!6 and hence vary the action of the same by the Shutter.

While but one form of the invention has been shown and described herein,it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that many minormodifications may be made without departing from'the spirit of theinvention or the scope of the appended claim.

What is claimed is:

A device of the character described comprising, a frame, a Shutterhingedly mounted on said frame for opening and closing movement, meanson said shutter defining a guideway, an adjustable spring mounted onsaid frame and having a portion cooperating with said guideway forurging the Shutter to open position, a bellows type thermostat, a rodextending from one end of said thermostat, a cable interconnecting therod and the Shutter, a rack extending from the other end of thethermostat, a gear supported on said frame and enmeshed with said rack,and handle-operated means for turning said gear whereby to move theShutter irrespective of the action of the spring.

ARTI-!UR HAMILTON.

REFEREN CES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 366324 Johnson July 12, 18871,624,039 Dana Apr. 12, 1927 1,628,965 Giese May 17, 1927 1,797,099 PaceMar. 17, 1931 1,958,815 Cox May 15, 1934 2,107,809 Warner Feb. 8, 19382,296,917 Garrett et al Sept. 29, 1942

